In reference to the story Dubai video game theme park, Hub Zero, to open this summer (February 29), it would be great if the indoor park, City Walk, had a range of indoor spaces that promote healthy activities for children and adults, such as those found at Highmark SportsWorks at the Carnegie Science Centre in Pittsburgh. I am sure there are many other good examples.
Stephen Osuhor, Dubai
VAT also has a negative side
The views put forward in your newspaper about VAT have been stressing what are purported to be its positive aspects. There have been no articles about the negative consequences.
Readers might like to reflect that the most dynamic world economy, the United States, has not introduced VAT, and it might be instructive to reflect on why this is the case.
Given the reasons put forward for its planned introduction in this country, it is important surely to understand that with falling oil revenues, what is clearly needed is a dynamic diversified private sector. In the face of ferocious global competition, the emulation of western economies shackled by the bureaucratic effects of a regressive tax like VAT is hardly ideal.
There are ways of generating government revenues from successful enterprise, and the US should surely point the way for the UAE. The example of using VAT to achieve this can be seen in the failing economic performance and stifling bureaucracy of constructs like the EU.
This is surely not the role model for the post-oil UAE economy, which will have none of the inherent advantages of Europe as it tries to get off the starting block. Adding VAT would be like tying lead weights around the feet of UAE enterprises.
Andy Preston, Abu Dhabi
Only worry is queuing time
In reference to the report Adnoc self-service fuelling trial proves tricky for some (March 2), I have no problem filling my own car but the queuing time is going to be much longer than it already is now.
Andrew Pearce, Abu Dhabi
Is HIV revelation surprising?
It is astonishing that university students lack knowledge about HIV (UAE students lack knowledge of HIV, polls shows, March 2). This means that these ill-informed youngsters are at risk of contracting the disease.
It is about time that sex education was made mandatory in educational institutions. It is important to educate the youth on such issues that are often not discussed at home or school.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
I’m not surprised. If nobody talks about it, and the subject (along with sex education) is such a taboo, how else will people know about it?
Amanda Magalhaes, Dubai
It’s almost as if a major part of the health curriculum is missing.
Chris Handforth, Canada
A balanced budget for India
In reference to the report Modi sticks with India deficit plan as pro-farmer budget revealed (March 1), the latest budget has focused on the rural community and agriculture sector. And rightly so, because the country’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture. It will also help the government to woo the large farmer community. However, the budget was a balanced one.
The focus on digitisation of educational documents clearly demonstrates the government’s approach towards transparency in this sector as well as its commitment towards the environment.
The government will certainly face challenges in turning its objectives into reality, some of which can be overcome by taking all parties into confidence and turning those projects into a collective effort.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
